Spiritual Minded Military Maryland Army National Guard: Can the Military See My Rehab History—The Protection Protocol
Yes, the military will know if you have been in rehab, but only in some cases.
The difference is easy to understand. Be sure to check yourself before you are checked. The Protection Protocol is your armor.
When using self-referral, you talk to your commander, chaplain, ASAP office, or NCO and tell them, "I need help with alcohol/drugs."
This must occur prior to a unit urinalysis, alcohol-related incident, or command referral. The Limited Use Policy covers evidence from a self-referral. It will not be used against you in a court martial or for an unfavorable characterization of service.
A command referral occurs when your commander observes, suspects, or is aware of performance problems associated with suspected substance abuse. There is no protection from command referral.
If you test positive on a drug test but you were not taking the drug, it is considered an unlawful positive. Mandatory referral, without protection and possible separation.
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THE QUESTION YOU ARE AFRAID TO ASK
You need help. You are aware that you need assistance. But each time you consider making the call, fear holds you back.
Will my past rehabilitation be seen by the military?
Will I be terminated from my job due to a security clearance review?
Will my commander get to know?
“Will this doom my career?”
You are not alone. These are the questions that thousands of soldiers ask every day. Fear of career consequences is the deterrent to seeking substance abuse treatment among service members.
The enemy wants you to be afraid of the repercussions more than you are of the addiction. The counterattack is the protection protocol.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." — Romans 8:1
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THE THREE FEARS (AND THE TRUTH)
1. "If I admit that I have a drinking problem, I will lose my security clearance.
The reality is the opposite of that. Getting help prior to an incident is considered favorably in adjudications for security clearance. The rules are simple: "Voluntary identification is the most desirable way to discover alcohol or drug abuse." Clearances are destroyed by concealing the problem and then being caught.
2. "My commander will know, and I will be punished.
In reality, the truth will only be discovered by the commander if you self-refer. The Limited Use Policy also guards this self-referral information from being used against you. The intent of the policy is "to facilitate the identification of alcohol and other drug abusers by encouraging identification through self-referral." Your commander isn't your enemy. Your first line of defense from incidents that can ruin your career is your commander.
3. I will always be considered a “substance abuser.”
The reality is that the army would like to keep you in the service. The purpose of the Army Substance Abuse Program is "to strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of the army's workforce, to conserve manpower, and to enhance the combat readiness of soldiers." Thousands of soldiers have been treated and have gone on to do well in their careers. The label is not permanently affixed. Help is available.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." — John 8:36
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THE PROTECTION PROTOCOL
There are four steps of the Protection Protocol. Do them in sequence.
Step One: Self-refer before anything happens
This is the most crucial step. Please self-refer before
- A unit urinalysis is called out for
- A random act of violence (domestic disturbance, DUI)
- A command-directed referral
Contact one of these individuals if you want to refer yourself:
- Your commander
- Your military chaplain (must waive confidentiality)
- The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) office
- A member of your command chain, who is an NCO or officer
Another option is to reach out to Maryland's Commitment to Veterans (MCV) by dialing 1-877-770-4801. The Maryland Department of Health program that links veterans and Guard members to behavioral health services (including substance abuse counseling). This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Wellness and prevention resource consultations are also available by calling MDNG Integrated Primary Prevention at 410-918-6558.
Step Two: Make an honest assessment
Self-referral will be followed by a clinical evaluation. Be honest. Honesty protects you. The assessment will be used to decide if voluntary or compulsory treatment is required.
Step Three: Finish Your Treatment
The Limited Use Policy will safeguard evidence of your initial assessment and self-referral. Does not guarantee a positive drug test after starting treatment. Complete your treatment. Do not relapse. The protection is for the first test only.
Step Four: Wear Your Uniform
Your Spiritual Minded Military shirt is not a brand. It is a declaration. "I am getting help. I am not hiding. I am still a soldier."
The soldier who seeks treatment is not weak. The soldier who seeks treatment is smart. The enemy wants you to hide. The Protection Protocol is the counter-attack.
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WHAT THE LIMITED USE POLICY ACTUALLY COVERS
The most incorrectly understood policy in the Army is the Limited Use Policy (LUP). Here's its meaning.
The LUP will be used to protect evidence of a self-referral. It will not be relied upon against you in a court-martial or for an unfavorable characterization of service. The goal is “to encourage identification by self-referral” to identify alcohol and other drug abusers.
If a unit urinalysis is performed and the person self-refers, the LUP will not protect you. You are not protected if you know that a test is coming and you self-refer so you don't have to deal with the consequences.
Only the first test is covered by the LUP. A second positive test following treatment can also be used as evidence against the medical treatment.
Failure to recover from rehabilitation has implications. If you have another incident of alcohol within 12 months of finishing ASAP, you can be separated.
The bottom line is that it's easy to see. Self-refer before you act! Complete your treatment. Do not relapse. Your career survives.
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THE BALTIMORE ARMORY ASSIGNMENT
The Baltimore armory is home to thousands of Maryland Guard soldiers. Some of them are having the same fears as you have. Some of these are concealed. Some of them are suffering in silence.
The assignment is not to keep your head down! Your task is to get assistance and set an example.
When a soldier self-referers and completes treatment, he/she is the soldier who demonstrates to the rest of the unit that there is help available. You're not showing weakness. You're showing courage.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7
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THE ENEMY'S THREE LIES
The enemy will not want to help you. He tells you 3 lies to make you shut up.
1. 'You will be expelled if the military discovers it.
The reality is that the military puts lots of effort into retaining you in the service. The mission of the Army Substance Abuse Program is to "strengthen the overall fitness and effectiveness of the Army's workforce, conserve manpower, and enhance the combat readiness of Soldiers." They want you to go back to normal. They don't want to boot you off.
2. "Self-referral equals being caught.
The reality is that self-referral is handled in a completely different manner than command referral. Self-referrals are protected by the Limited Use Policy. There is no protection in command referrals.
3. "You can do it yourself.
The truth is if you could handle it on your own, you would have already. The enemy wants you to think that if you ask for help, it means that you are weak. Seeking assistance is a strategy. You would never fight an enemy battle alone. Never enter recovery on your own.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free." — Galatians 5:1
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Conclusion
You asked the Maryland Army National Guard about their ability to see my rehab.
How you get into treatment is the key to answering this question.
Refer to yourself before every incident. The military only considers your past as something protected by medical records. Your command by you is notified but protected information. Covered by the Limited Use Policy.
Until a positive drug test or an alcohol-related incident. The military has a view of everything. You are notified of your command by a command reference. No protection provided. Your future is in jeopardy.
The Protection Protocol is easy to follow. Self-refer today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.
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This is the Spiritual Minded Military Protection Protocol for the Maryland Army National Guard. The enemy wants you to hide. The Protection Protocol is the counter-attack. Self-refer. Get help. Stay in the fight. Fall in.
The Remnant does not transition. The Remnant re-enlists.
Spiritual Minded Military
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THE LITTLE GENERAL DOCTRINE
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